U.S. patent application number 13/567955 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for bio-signal transfer device, vehicle control device, vehicle automatic control system and method using thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. The applicant listed for this patent is YongWon Jang, Seunghwan Kim, Inbum Lee, Sooyeul Lee, Hyung Wook NOH, Yoon Seon Song. Invention is credited to YongWon Jang, Seunghwan Kim, Inbum Lee, Sooyeul Lee, Hyung Wook NOH, Yoon Seon Song.
Application Number | 20130150741 13/567955 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48572644 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130150741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NOH; Hyung Wook ; et
al. |
June 13, 2013 |
BIO-SIGNAL TRANSFER DEVICE, VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE, VEHICLE
AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD USING THEREOF
Abstract
Disclosed is a bio-signal transfer device which includes a
bio-signal measuring unit which includes at least one sensor and
measures a bio-signal of a driver through the sensor; a signal
processing unit which removes noise from the bio-signal and
converts the noise-removed bio-signal into a digital signal; and a
transmission unit which transfers the digital signal by
wireless.
Inventors: |
NOH; Hyung Wook; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Jang; YongWon; (Daejeon, KR) ; Lee;
Sooyeul; (Daejeon, KR) ; Lee; Inbum; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Song; Yoon Seon; (Daejeon, KR) ; Kim;
Seunghwan; (Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOH; Hyung Wook
Jang; YongWon
Lee; Sooyeul
Lee; Inbum
Song; Yoon Seon
Kim; Seunghwan |
Daejeon
Daejeon
Daejeon
Daejeon
Daejeon
Daejeon |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Electronics and Telecommunications
Research Institute
Daejeon
KR
|
Family ID: |
48572644 |
Appl. No.: |
13/567955 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/508 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/18 20130101; A61B
5/0245 20130101; A61B 5/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/508 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/024 20060101
A61B005/024 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 8, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0131103 |
Claims
1. A bio-signal transfer device comprising: a bio-signal measuring
unit which includes at least one sensor and measures a bio-signal
of a driver through the sensor; a signal processing unit which
removes noise from the bio-signal and converts the noise-removed
bio-signal into a digital signal; and a transmission unit which
transfers the digital signal by wireless.
2. The bio-signal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the
bio-signal measuring unit has a patch shape to be attached to a
body of the driver.
3. The bio-signal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the
bio-signal measuring unit is connected with a component of a
vehicle contacting with a body of the driver.
4. The bio-signal transfer device of claim 1, wherein the
transmission unit sends the digital signal in a Bluetooth
manner.
5. A vehicle control device comprising: a reception unit which
receives a bio-signal; a bio-signal analyzing unit which analyzes
the bio-signal to judge a physical condition of the driver and
whether a danger situation occurs; and a control unit which
controls a driving of a vehicle based on the judgment result of the
bio-signal analyzing unit.
6. The vehicle control device of claim 5, wherein the bio-signal
analyzing unit comprises: a noise remover which removes noise from
the bio-signal through an algorithm; a heartbeat detector which
detects a heartbeat from the noise-removed bio-signal; and an
arrhythmia judging unit which judges occurrence of arrhythmia based
on the noise-removed bio-signal and the detected heartbeat.
7. The vehicle control device of claim 6, wherein the arrhythmia
judging unit comprises: an VF detector which judge ventricular
fibrillation of a driver; an ST computing unit which analyzes an
ST-segment to judge myocardial ischemia of a driver; and a QRS
judging unit which analyzes a QRS waveform to judge arrhythmia of
the driver.
8. The vehicle control device of claim 5, further comprising: a
display unit which outputs the bio-signal and the danger situation
judgment result provided from the bio-signal analyzing unit.
9. The vehicle control device of claim 8, further comprising: an
alarm unit which outputs an alarm signal to the outside according
to the bio-signal and the danger situation judgment result provided
from the bio-signal analyzing unit.
10. The vehicle control device of claim 9, wherein the alarm unit
sends the danger situation judgment result to an external server by
wireless.
11. A vehicle automatic control system comprising: a bio-signal
transfer device; and a vehicle control device, wherein the
bio-signal transfer device comprises: a bio-signal measuring unit
which includes at least one sensor and measures a bio-signal of a
driver through the sensor; a signal processing unit which removes
noise from the bio-signal and converts the noise-removed bio-signal
into a digital signal; and a transmission unit which transfers the
digital signal by wireless; and wherein the vehicle control device
comprises: a reception unit which receives the digital signal; a
bio-signal analyzing unit which analyzes the digital signal to
judge arrhythmia and judges a physical condition of the driver and
whether a danger situation occurs according to the judgment result;
and a control unit which controls a driving of a vehicle based on
the judgment result of the bio-signal analyzing unit.
12. A vehicle automatic control method comprising: measuring a
bio-signal of a driver; sending the measured bio-signal to an
analysis module by wireless; analyzing the transmitted signal to
judge arrhythmia of a driver; judging a physical condition of the
driver and whether a danger situation occurs, according to the
judgment result; and actively controlling a driving of a vehicle
when a driver is at a danger situation.
13. The vehicle automatic control method of claim 12, wherein the
analyzing the transmitted signal to judge arrhythmia of a driver
comprises: judging ventricular fibrillation of a driver; analyzing
an ST-segment to judge myocardial ischemia of the driver; and
analyzing a QRS waveform to judge arrhythmia of the driver.
14. The vehicle automatic control method of claim 12, further
comprising: displaying the physical condition and the danger
situation judgment result through an output device.
15. The vehicle automatic control method of claim 12, further
comprising: transferring an alarm signal and danger situation
information to the outside when the driver is at a danger
situation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 is made to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0131103 filed Dec. 8, 2011,
in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The inventive concepts described herein relate to a
bio-signal transfer device, a vehicle control device, a vehicle
automatic control system, and a method using the same.
[0003] Cardiac disorders such as cardiogenic shock or arrhythmia
may suddenly occur without forewarning symptom. The symptom of the
cardiac disorders may be various from a minor symptom such as
palpitation to a serious symptom such as syncope and sudden death.
An accident may occur when does not cope with such symptom. For
example, if a cardiac disorder occurs during driving, a driver may
be at a non-controllable state. In this case, the chance that a
full-scale accident occurs may become high.
[0004] A driver may not control a driving state actively at an
emergence situation due to the cardiac disorder. Thus, there is
needed a control device which controls a driving state of a vehicle
actively upon occurring of an emergence situation by comprehending
a state of a driver.
SUMMARY
[0005] Example embodiments of the inventive concept provide a
bio-signal transfer device comprising a bio-signal measuring unit
which includes at least one sensor and measures a bio-signal of a
driver through the sensor; a signal processing unit which removes
noise from the bio-signal and converts the noise-removed bio-signal
into a digital signal; and a transmission unit which transfers the
digital signal by wireless.
[0006] In example embodiments, the bio-signal measuring unit has a
patch shape to be attached to a body of the driver.
[0007] In example embodiments, the bio-signal measuring unit is
connected with a component of a vehicle contacting with a body of
the driver.
[0008] In example embodiments, the transmission unit sends the
digital signal in a Bluetooth manner.
[0009] Example embodiments of the inventive concept also provide a
vehicle control device comprising a reception unit which receives a
bio-signal; a bio-signal analyzing unit which analyzes the
bio-signal to judge a physical condition of the driver and whether
a danger situation occurs; and a control unit which controls a
driving of a vehicle based on the judgment result of the bio-signal
analyzing unit.
[0010] In example embodiments, the bio-signal analyzing unit
comprises a noise remover which removes noise from the bio-signal
through an algorithm; a heartbeat detector which detects a
heartbeat from the noise-removed bio-signal; and an arrhythmia
judging unit which judges occurrence of arrhythmia based on the
noise-removed bio-signal and the detected heartbeat.
[0011] In example embodiments, the arrhythmia judging unit
comprises an VF detector which judge ventricular fibrillation of a
driver; an ST computing unit which analyzes an ST-segment to judge
myocardial ischemia of a driver; and a QRS judging unit which
analyzes a QRS waveform to judge arrhythmia of the driver.
[0012] In example embodiments, the vehicle control device further
comprises a display unit which outputs the bio-signal and the
danger situation judgment result provided from the bio-signal
analyzing unit.
[0013] In example embodiments, the vehicle control device further
comprises an alarm unit which outputs an alarm signal to the
outside according to the bio-signal and the danger situation
judgment result provided from the bio-signal analyzing unit.
[0014] In example embodiments, the alarm unit sends the danger
situation judgment result to an external server by wireless.
[0015] Example embodiments of the inventive concept also provide a
vehicle automatic control system comprising a bio-signal transfer
device; and a vehicle control device. The bio-signal transfer
device comprises a bio-signal measuring unit which includes at
least one sensor and measures a bio-signal of a driver through the
sensor; a signal processing unit which removes noise from the
bio-signal and converts the noise-removed bio-signal into a digital
signal; and a transmission unit which transfers the digital signal
by wireless. The vehicle control device comprises a reception unit
which receives the digital signal; a bio-signal analyzing unit
which analyzes the digital signal to judge arrhythmia and judges a
physical condition of the driver and whether a danger situation
occurs according to the judgment result; and a control unit which
controls a driving of a vehicle based on the judgment result of the
bio-signal analyzing unit.
[0016] Example embodiments of the inventive concept also provide a
vehicle automatic control method comprising measuring a bio-signal
of a driver; sending the measured bio-signal to an analysis module
by wireless; analyzing the transmitted signal to judge arrhythmia
of a driver; judging a physical condition of the driver and whether
a danger situation occurs, according to the judgment result; and
actively controlling a driving of a vehicle when a driver is at a
danger situation.
[0017] In example embodiments, the analyzing the transmitted signal
to judge arrhythmia of a driver comprises judging ventricular
fibrillation of a driver;
[0018] analyzing an ST-segment to judge myocardial ischemia of the
driver; and analyzing a QRS waveform to judge arrhythmia of the
driver.
[0019] In example embodiments, the vehicle automatic control method
further comprises displaying the physical condition and the danger
situation judgment result through an output device.
[0020] In example embodiments, the vehicle automatic control method
further comprises transferring an alarm signal and danger situation
information to the outside when the driver is at a danger
situation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] The above and other objects and features will become
apparent from the following description with reference to the
following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like
parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified,
and wherein
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
bio-signal transfer device according to an embodiment of the
inventive concept.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a bio-signal
transfer device in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the inventive
concept.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
bio-signal analyzing unit in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of
the inventive concept.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
vehicle control device according to another embodiment of the
inventive concept.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
vehicle control device according to still another embodiment of the
inventive concept.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle
automatic control system according to an embodiment of the
inventive concept.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle automatic
control method according to an embodiment of the inventive
concept.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be
embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as
being limited only to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these
embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will
be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the
inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, known
processes, elements, and techniques are not described with respect
to some of the embodiments of the inventive concept. Unless
otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements
throughout the attached drawings and written description, and thus
descriptions will not be repeated. In the drawings, the sizes and
relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for
clarity.
[0031] It will be understood that, although the terms "first",
"second", "third", etc., may be used herein to describe various
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be
limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish
one element, component, region, layer or section from another
region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region,
layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,
component, region, layer or section without departing from the
teachings of the inventive concept.
[0032] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath", "below",
"lower", "under", "above", "upper" and the like, may be used herein
for ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative
terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the
device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted
in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned
over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" or "under" other
elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other
elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms "below" and "under"
can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device
may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other
orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
interpreted accordingly. In addition, it will also be understood
that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, it
can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more
intervening layers may also be present.
[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Also, the term "exemplary" is intended to refer to an example or
illustration.
[0034] It will be understood that when an element or layer is
referred to as being "on", "connected to", "coupled to", or
"adjacent to" another element or layer, it can be directly on,
connected, coupled, or adjacent to the other element or layer, or
intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected
to", "directly coupled to", or "immediately adjacent to" another
element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers
present.
[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that
terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should
be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present
specification and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
bio-signal transfer device according to an embodiment of the
inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 1, a bio-signal transfer
device 100 may include a bio-signal measuring unit 110, a signal
processing unit 120, and a transmission unit 130.
[0037] The bio-signal measuring unit 110 may measure a bio-signal
of a driver. The bio-signal measuring unit 110 may be attached to a
body of the driver independently. In this case, the bio-signal
measuring unit 110 may be a patch-type unit. The bio-signal
measuring unit 110 may be embedded within a component of a vehicle,
for example, a handle or a seat.
[0038] A bio-signal measured by the bio-signal measuring unit 110
may be various. For example, the bio-signal may include
electro-cardiogram (ECG), electro-encephalogram (EEG),
electro-myogram (EMG), galvanic skin reflex (GSR),
electro-oculography (EOG), Pulse plethysmography (PPG), amount of
exercise on breathing rate and time, and the like. The inventive
concept will be described on the basis of the electro-cardiogram
(ECG). However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto.
[0039] The signal processing unit 120 may remove noise by filtering
a bio-signal measured by the bio-signal measuring unit 110. The
signal processing unit 120 may amplify a noise-removed bio-signal.
A magnitude of a bio-signal may be very small, for example, below 1
mV. Thus, amplification of a bio-signal may be required to analyze
a bio-signal. The signal processing unit 120 may convert the
amplified bio-signal into a digital signal.
[0040] The transmission unit 130 may transfer a digital signal
input from the signal processing unit 120 by wireless. A wireless
communication manner of the transmission unit 130 may not be
limited. For example, the transmission unit 130 may transfer a
digital signal by a Bluetooth manner.
[0041] The bio-signal transfer device 100 according to an
embodiment of the inventive concept may measure a bio-signal of a
driver to remove noise of the bio-signal. Further, the bio-signal
transfer device 100 may amplify the noise-removed bio-signal to
convert it into a digital signal, and may transfer the digital
signal. Thus, it is possible to wirelessly transfer bio information
of a driver in real time.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a bio-signal
transfer device in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, a bio-signal
transfer device 100 may include a bio-signal measuring unit 110, a
signal processing unit 120, and a transmission unit 130.
[0043] The bio-signal measuring unit 110 may include at least one
or more sensors. Each sensor may measure different bio-signals of a
driver. Bio-signals measured by the sensors may be gathered and
provided to the signal processing unit 120.
[0044] The signal processing unit 120 may include an analog circuit
121 and an MCU 122. The signal processing unit 120 may convert a
bio-signal input from the bio-signal measuring unit 110 into a
signal suitable for analysis, and may send it to the transmission
unit 130.
[0045] The analog circuit 121 may remove noise of a bio-signal
input from the bio-signal measuring unit 110 through a filter. The
bio-signal may have a high noise property due to a small size.
Also, since a body is organized by organic combination of organs,
it is difficult to measure a signal associated with only a point.
For example, a breathing signal may be measured together upon
measuring of electro-cardiogram (ECG), or electro-myogram (EMG) may
be measured together upon measuring of electro-encephalogram (EEG).
Thus, a filter may be required to separate only a target signal
from a measured signal.
[0046] The analog circuit 121 may amplify a noise-removed
bio-signal. The analog circuit 121 may send the amplified
bio-signal to the MCU 122.
[0047] The MCU 122 may convert a bio-signal input from the analog
circuit 121 into a digital signal through an analog-to-digital
converter. The MCU 122 may include a digital filter. The digital
filter may remove noise that is not removed by an analog filter.
The MCU 122 may output a bio-signal converted into a digital signal
to the transmission unit 130. The transmission unit 130 may send a
bio-signal input from the MCU 122 by wireless.
[0048] Thus, the bio-signal transfer device of the inventive
concept may measure a bio-signal to convert and send the measured
bio-signal into a signal suitable for analysis.
[0049] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the inventive
concept. Referring to FIG. 3, a vehicle control device 200 may
include a reception unit 210, a bio-signal analyzing unit 220, and
a control unit 230.
[0050] The reception unit 210 may receive a bio-signal sent from a
bio-signal transfer device. The reception unit 210 may transfer the
input bio-signal to the bio-signal analyzing unit 220.
[0051] The bio-signal analyzing unit 220 may judge physical
condition and danger situation of a user using the input
bio-signal. The bio-signal analyzing unit 220 may include a noise
remover 221, a heartbeat detector 222, and an arrhythmia judging
unit 223.
[0052] The noise remover 221 may remove noise from a bio-signal
transferred from the reception unit 210 through algorithm. For
example, electro-cardiogram (ECG) may include noise generated due
to external power, motion of a driver, electro-myogram (EMG), and
the like. A peak of noise included in the electro-cardiogram (ECG)
can be abnormally calculated as a pulse. For this reason, the noise
removing algorithm may be used to detect only an electro-cardiogram
(ECG) signal.
[0053] The heartbeat detector 222 may detect a heartbeat, that is,
a pulse from the electro-cardiogram (ECG) signal passing through
the noise remover 221. The heartbeat detected by the heartbeat
detector 222 may be provided to the arrhythmia judging unit 223
together with electro-cardiogram.
[0054] The arrhythmia judging unit 223 may judge a danger situation
of a driver, for example, whether arrhythmia occurs, based on a
heartbeat and electro-cardiogram (ECG). The arrhythmia judging unit
223 may judge an arrhythmia type when occurrence of arrhythmia is
detected. Occurrence of arrhythmia may cause a cardiac disorder.
The arrhythmia may include ventricular fibrillation (VF), ischemic
heart failure, premature ventricular contraction (PVC), and the
like. The arrhythmia judging unit 223 may provide the control unit
230 with judged results (including whether arrhythmia occurs and an
arrhythmia type), based on a heartbeat and electro-cardiogram
(ECG).
[0055] The control unit 230 may receive the judged results from the
arrhythmia judging unit 223. In the event that the judged results
indicate that a driver is at a danger situation, the control unit
230 may control a driving of a vehicle. In example embodiments, the
control unit 230 may decrease a driving speed of a vehicle at a
danger situation. The control unit 230 may control a driving
direction of a vehicle at a danger situation.
[0056] With the above description, the vehicle control device of
the inventive concept may judge a danger situation of a driver
based on a bio-signal sent from a bio-signal transfer device. The
vehicle control device may control a driving of a vehicle according
to a judgment result. Thus, it is possible to prevent an accident
due to a sudden body disorder.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
bio-signal analyzing unit in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of
the inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 4, a bio-signal analyzing
unit 300 may include a noise remover 310, a heartbeat detector 320,
and an arrhythmia judging unit 330.
[0058] The noise remover 310 may remove noise from a bio-signal
transferred from a reception unit 210. The noise remover 310 may
remove a signal not associated with a pulse, so that a heartbeat is
detected more exactly.
[0059] The heartbeat detector 320 may detect a heartbeat from a
bio-signal noise of which is removed by the noise remover 310. A
heartbeat per time may vary according to a physical state of a
body. Thus, sharp variation of a heartbeat may mean that the chance
that there is something wrong become high. The heartbeat may be
used as an index to judge an abnormal situation of a driver.
However, the heartbeat may be varied due to other factors (e.g.,
stress, motion, etc.) as well as a cardiac disorder. An arrhythmia
detecting operation may be required to diagnose an abnormal
situation more exactly using only a heartbeat.
[0060] The arrhythmia judging unit 330 may judge whether arrhythmia
occurs, according to a heartbeat and electro-cardiogram (ECG). When
arrhythmia occurs, the arrhythmia judging unit 330 may judge an
arrhythmia type. The arrhythmia judging unit 330 may include a
ventricular fibrillation (VF) detector 331, an ST computing unit
332, and a QRS judging unit 333.
[0061] The VF detector 331 may judge ventricular fibrillation (VF)
of a driver. The ventricular fibrillation (VF) may be a type of
arrhythmia, and may be a state that a contraction of a heart is not
made normally due to electric stimulations of a heart at various
points. A blood may not be ejected from a heart at the ventricular
fibrillation (VF) state. When an action corresponding to the
ventricular fibrillation (VF) state is not taken, a person may die
within several minutes due to circulatory failure. The VF detector
331 may judge a ventricular fibrillation (VF) state of a driver
based on input electro-cardiogram (ECG).
[0062] The ST computing unit 332 may analyze ST-segment to judge
myocardial ischemia of a driver. Herein, the myocardial ischemia
may be an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
Left untreated, it may result in angina pectoris, myocardial
stunning, myocardial hibernation, ischemic preconditioning,
postconditioning, or under the most severe instances, acute
coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction. Myocardial ischemia
may be the pathological state underlying ischaemic heart
disease.
[0063] The ST-segment may be a segment indicating an initial
portion of ventricular repolarization at electro-cardiogram (ECG).
A heart state may be diagnosed by analyzing a period and an
amplitude variation of the ST-segment. In particular, in the event
that the ST-segment indicates ischemic ST-segment depression, the
chance that myocardial ischemia occurs becomes high. The ST
computing unit 332 may judge myocardial ischemia of a driver based
on the ST-segment of the input electro-cardiogram (ECG).
[0064] The QRS judging unit 333 may judge arrhythmia by analyzing
and classifying a QRS waveform. The QRS waveform may be a part of
electro-cardiogram (ECG) indicating a depolarization of the
ventricle. It is possible to diagnose arrhythmia of the ventricle,
for example, heart failure. The QRS judging unit 333 may judge
arrhythmia of a driver and its type, based on the QRS waveform of
the input electro-cardiogram (ECG).
[0065] The arrhythmia judging unit 330 may output a result obtained
by combing the VF detector 331, the ST computing unit 332, and the
QRS judging unit 333.
[0066] As described above, the bio-signal analyzing unit 300
according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may judge an
arrhythmia state and its type by analyzing a waveform of an
electro-cardiogram signal through a specific algorithm. Thus, the
bio-signal analyzing unit 300 may collect accurate information
associated with a danger situation to quickly cope with a danger
situation.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
vehicle control device according to another embodiment of the
inventive concept. Referring to FIG.
[0068] 5, a vehicle control device 400 may include a reception unit
410, a bio-signal analyzing unit 420, a control unit 430, and a
display unit 440. The vehicle control device 400 in FIG. 5 may be
analogous to that in FIG. 3 except that the display unit 440 is
added, and description thereof is thus omitted.
[0069] The display unit 440 may output a bio-signal and a danger
situation judging result input from the bio-signal analyzing unit
420. The display unit 440 may include an image device and an audio
device. For example, the display unit 440 may include a liquid
crystal screen or a speaker. In example embodiments, the display
unit 440 may show a bio-signal and a danger situation judging
result through a liquid crystal screen in real time. Also, the
display unit 440 may generate an alarm notifying an abnormal state
such as arrhythmia.
[0070] As described above, the vehicle control device may output a
physical condition and a danger situation of a driver through an
output device such as an image device or an audio device such that
the driver checks the physical condition and the danger situation
in real time. Thus, the vehicle control device may immediately cope
with the danger situation.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
vehicle control device according to still another embodiment of the
inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 6, a vehicle control device
500 may include a reception unit 510, a bio-signal analyzing unit
520, a control unit 530, a display unit 540, and an alarm unit 550.
The vehicle control device 500 in FIG. 6 may be analogous to that
in FIG. 5 except that the alarm unit 550 is added, and description
thereof is thus omitted.
[0072] The alarm unit 550 may output an alarm signal to the outside
according to a bio-signal and a danger situation judging result
input from the bio-signal analyzing unit 520. In example
embodiments, upon a danger situation, the alarm unit 550 may
wirelessly transfer information associated with generation of a
danger situation and its type to an external server or a terminal.
Also, upon a danger situation, the alarm unit 550 may send an alarm
signal to a control device of a vehicle to display a danger
situation. For example, an emergency light may be turned on
according to the control of the alarm unit 550.
[0073] As described above, the vehicle control device 500 in FIG. 6
may immediately alarm a danger situation of a driver and send
information to the outside. Thus, the vehicle control device 500
may cope with a danger situation of a driver effectively and
immediately.
[0074] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle
automatic control system according to an embodiment of the
inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 7, a vehicle automatic control
system 600 may include a bio-signal transfer device 610 and a
vehicle control device 620.
[0075] The bio-signal transfer device 610 may be attached to a body
of a driver independently. The bio-signal transfer device 610 may
be embedded in a component of a vehicle, for example, a handle or a
seat. The bio-signal transfer device 610 may measure a bio-signal
to convert it into a signal suitable for analysis.
[0076] The vehicle control device 620 may include a reception unit
621, a bio-signal analyzing unit 622, a control unit 623, a display
unit 624, and an alarm unit 625. The vehicle control device 620 may
judge a danger situation of a driver based on a bio-signal
transmitted from the bio-signal transfer device 610. The vehicle
control device 620 may output a measured bio-signal and a judgment
result through an output device. The vehicle control device 620 may
control a driving of a vehicle according to the judgment result.
Upon a danger situation, the vehicle control device 620 may display
an alarm to the outside of the vehicle to send associated
information to the outside.
[0077] As described above, the vehicle automatic control system 600
may measure a bio-signal of a driver to judge a danger situation.
The vehicle automatic control system 600 may actively control a
vehicle according to the judgment result to send a danger signal to
the outside.
[0078] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle automatic
control method according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.
Referring to FIG. 8, in operation S100, a bio-signal including
electro-cardiogram of a driver may be measured. In operation S110,
the measured signal may be converted into a signal suitable for
analysis, and the converted bio-signal may be sent to an analysis
module by wireless. In operation S120, a physical condition and a
danger situation of a driver, for example, occurrence of arrhythmia
may be judged through analyzing of the input signal. In operation
S130, the analyzed result may be displayed through an output
device. In operation S140, there may be judged whether a driver is
at a danger situation. If so, in operation S150, a driving of a
vehicle may be actively controlled, and an alarm signal and danger
situation information may be transmitted to the outside. If not,
the method proceeds to operation S120 such that information of the
driver may continue to be measured.
[0079] The inventive concept may be modified or changed variously.
For example, a bio-signal measuring unit, a signal processing unit,
and a transmission unit may be changed or modified variously
according to environment and use.
[0080] While the inventive concept has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above
embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative.
* * * * *